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ARTICLE · 10 DECEMBER 2020

Changes To The Rules Of Civil Procedure: Embracing Changes From COVID-19 To Begin Modernizing Litigation In Ontario

Dickinson Wright PLLC
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COVID-19 required Ontario Courts to adopt temporary measures to quickly modernize the court system. This included implementing virtual hearings, piloting the new CaseLines online platform, and

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Mark Shapiro
Mark Shapiro
Joshua Suttner
Joshua Suttner
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COVID-19 required Ontario Courts to adopt temporary measures to quickly modernize the court system. This included implementing virtual hearings, piloting the new CaseLines online platform, and permitting service by email.

On November 30, 2020, the Attorney General of Ontario announced changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure (the "Rules") effective January 1, 2021. These long-overdue changes implemented many of the temporary measures which the Court put in place for COVID-19. The new Rules are a strong step toward modernizing courts in Ontario and making the justice system more accessible by providing electronic options for various aspects of court proceedings.

The changes will permanently allow parties to attend court, commission affidavits, and serve and file documents virtually. These changes are a strong step forward in getting the Superior Court system caught up to the technological and practical realities with which we have been living for quite some time.

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